Ice making machine



Dec. 13, 1955 T. c. CAPI-:HART ET AL ICE MAKING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Aug. 29, 1951 I Illmwl 0 Il a0 7 7 Z M III .I/f/ WJ .l III \\||l|W l 5 Hf.||||| Il m MH M w. /Mf El'. m H m I H H IHI v/Il |I I l I m H Hl MH A .m f Il vVlIUI lllll /w 7 U M 5 3 n www m@ www mm N ma N I ww amUnited States Patent O ICE MAKING MACHINE Thomas C. Capehart and DormonB. McShan, Indianapolis, Ind., assignors to John R. Bayston, as trustee,Icecrafter (Liquidating) Trust, Van Nuys, Calif.

Application August 29, 1951, Serial No. 244,151

6 Claims. (Cl. 62--106) This invention relates to a machine formanufacturing and delivering ice cubes automatically wherein a number ofindividual ice cubes are simultaneously frozen and thereuponautomatically released from their freezing cells for discharge to adelivery chute, as generally disclosed in Letters Patent of John R.Bayston, No. 2,563,093, issued August 7, 1951, for Ice Making Machine.

One object of the invention is to provide a structure and mechanismapplicable to a machine of this general type for subjecting liquidduring the freezing cycle to just sufficient agitation and washingaction as to prevent incorporation of impurities within the ice beingformed, to thereby produce substantially clear ice cubes asdistinguished from cubes generally referred to as cloudy.

The above is accomplished, according to this invention, by directing astream of water discharged under pressure immediately below and adjacentthe group of open bottom cells within the freezing unit, which stream ofwater by reason of its rapid ow will create a turbulence of the waterwithin the cells to eect agitation thereof suficiently to causeseparation and precipitation of impurities as the ice film forms,and'carry away from deposit such impurities to leave clear ice frozen inthe cells.

In this connection reference is made to the above entitled applicationand more particularly to Letters Patent of Gustav F. Erickson and DormonB. McShan granted January 22, 1952, No. 2,583,294, entitled Ice MakingMachine, each of which embodies a movable platen for sealing the groupof open bottom cells in the evaporator or freezing unit, and whichplaten is movable therefrom after the freezing cycle and for theduration of a defrosting cycle to permit defrosted frozen ice cubes todrop from the cells on the platen for discharge.

According to this invention the platen carries a water circulatingsystem including a force pump and is so formed as to cause a stream ofWater to be discharged to provide a rapid flow of current between theadjacent surfaces of the platen and the group of open bottom cells, andprovision in the platen for directing the stream of water back to theforce pump.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of baffle-likeridges formed over the surface of the platen and so arranged-relative tothe cells as to effect a turbulence of the water approximately at thecenter of each cell.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Fig. l is a side elevation of lthe ice making machine with parts brokenaway and parts removed.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the evaporator, cells andplaten.

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the water stream discharge andflow immediately below the group of open bottom cells. .i

This invention is adapted to belapplied to the machine shown in theabove-mentioned Erickson and McShan application, reference being hadthereto `in respect to structural details and automatic operation, therebeing disclosed herein merely a water stream agitator substituted forthe agitating plate of said application. With this exception similarparts disclosed herein bear corresponding identifying numbers to saidapplication, and the refrigerating, defrosting and automatic controlstructure more particularly described in said application is made a parthereof.

For illustration of the present invention there is shown herein thatportion of an ice cube producing machine having a-supporting framestructure including a bottom frame member 10, uprights 11, top framemember 12 and cross frame members 13 and 14. In the lower compartment ofthe frame setructure and below the frame member 14 there may be housed asuitable refrigerating apparatus of any well known make, not shownherein.

In the upper section of the frame structure there is provided a freezingunit or evaporator including a plurality of individual cube formingcells open at their top and bottom as shown in Fig. 2. Said cells are inthe form of square sleeves defined by the partition walls 18 crossed bytransversely extending partition walls 19, all of which are surroundedby the outer walls 26 of greater depth. The outer walls 20 are formedwith inwardly extending top flanges 21 upon which the supporting frame22 is bolted and spaced by the spacing sleeves 23.

Each of the partition Walls 19 of the cells is formed with the topflange 24 extending approximately half way to the next adjacent wall topartially close the top of each cell, but primarily to provide a heatexchange support for the circuitous refrigerant coils 25. Said coilsprovide the passageway through which refrigerant is caused to flowduring the freezing cycle and serve as defrosting elements during thedefrosting cycle. They are preferably in the form of flattened tubessecured in intimate contact and substantially coextensive with theflanges 24 of the cell walls 19 to provide a sucieut heat exchangetherebetween.

The liquid such as water to be frozen is discharged into the freezingunit through the tube 26 below, but adjacent the liquid level. 35. Saidtube 26 is connected with a source of water supply, not shown, which isautomatically controlled in the manner described in said last mentionedapplication. Liquid flowing through the tube 26 will be distributed toeach of the cells within the outer walls 20 to flow below the cellpartitions 18 and 19.

Surrounding the freezing unit there is a wall of insulating material 36covered by a top layer of insulating material 36a. For closing andsealing the unit from the bottom there is provided a platen 37 having arubber sealing gasket 38 adjacent its edges adapted to engage the outerWalls 20. Said platen carries over its lower surface a layer ofinsulating material 39 and about its sides and rear edges outerinsulating strips 4l) which are adapted to engage the Walls 36 toprovide an insulated closure for the freezing unit and platen when thelatter is in its closing and sealing position as shown in Figs. l and 2.

Said platen carries within the sealing gasket 38 adjacent what may betermed the rear end thereof, a discharge header 41, and at the other endthereof (which may be called the forward end) an outlet header 42. Saidheaders extend transversely ofthe platen slightly below the upper facethereof indicated at 43. The face 43 of the platen is only slightlyspaced below the lower edges of the open bottom cells sufliciently topermit water distribution from cell to cell as well as a forced streamof water caused to flow from the discharge header 41 to the outletheader 42. Said headers are connected at their central portions by areturn flow pipe 44, 45 having a force pump 46 interposed therein. Thedischarge header 41 is provided with a series of spaced nozzles 47arranged to discharge jets of water over the face 43 of the platen undersuch force as to cause a rapid current to be set up and flow toward theoutlet header. The nozzles 47 generally increase in diameter andcapacity from the central intake portion of the discharge headeroutwardly toward each end thereof, and are preferably arranged in spacedrelation so that each nozzle is in line with the center of a row ofcells as shown in Fig. 3.

The upper face 43 of the platen may be provided with a series ofturbulent producing bafes 48 so arranged relative the cells as to inducea maximum turbulence centrally thereof.

With the cells filled with water to be frozen, the space above theplaten as well as the headers and pump will be filled whereupon therapid flow of the stream induced by the pump transversely of the openbottom of the cells will create such a turbulence as to be transmittedupwardly into the cells to cause agitation of the water therein and awashing action such as to wash away impurities from the ice film as itfreezes with the result that clear ice will be formed.

The pump 46 is driven through the belt 56 by a motor 51 secured to theunderside of the platen which motor may be energized only during thefreezing cycle, or if desired, operated continuously for pumping theplaten free of water to remove all impurities therefrom during thedefrosting and discharging operation when the platen is in its loweredposition.

Secured to the underside of the platen midway thereof there is provideda bracket 53 to which there is pivotally connected an adjustablecoupling link 54. The platen is raised to its sealed closed positionduring a refrigerating cycle, or lowered to its discharge position asshown in dotted lines through the operation of a cam motor 72 supportedon the cross frame member 14. Said cam motor is connected throughreduction gears with the cam shaft 74 which operates the cam 7S in thedirection of the arrow. Said cam is engaged by the cam follower 76mounted on the cam lever 77 having one end thereof pivoted at 77a to theupright frame member 11. The free end of the lever 77 is pivotallyconnected at 78 with the link 79 extending downwardly and adjustablerelative to the link coupling 54. The platen is hingedly connected tothe uprights 11 by a pair of hinge straps Si) limited in their downwarddrop by the adjustable stop screws S1 carried by the brackets 82.

When the cam 75 is in the position shown in Fig. l, with the follower 76engaging its extending face, it holds the platen in its closed sealingengagement with the freezing unit. Upon rotation of the cam in thedirection of the arrow the follower rides over the reduced portion ofthe cam permitting the platen to be lowered to its ice dischargeposition shown by dotted lines in Fig. l. Said platen is lowered to aninclined position for discharging the ice cubes that are released fromthe cells upon the thawing or defrosting action resulting from thereverse flow of hot refrigerant through the coils 25. However, uponinitial release both by the action of said cam and the thawing of theice, the platen is slightly tilted by a spring 83. Said spring has oneend connected to an arm 84 secured to the bracket S3 and the other endis secured to the pivot connection 78. As the spring is off centertoward the forward end of the platen, it will cause the platen to firsttilt downwardly to discharge excess liquid from the platen. Furthermovement of the cam 7S with further lowering of the platen causes itsfree end to move downwardly to the limit of movement of the hinge straps80 at which position the platen will first be arrested in its downwardmovement in substantial parallel relation to the freezing unit and thenbe tilted further downwardly as shown in dotted lines for completedischarge of ice cubes received thereon as well as the water andsediment accumulated in the platen during the agitating and washingaction of the liquid stream. Said cam thereupon raises the lever 77 andthe platen to its closed sealing position ready for the nextrefrigerating cycle. This is accomplished through the driving action ofthe motor 72 which drives the cam shaft 74 through suitable reductiongears mounted within the gear housing 87 and circuit control switches asmore particularly set forth and described in the last mentioned pendingapplication.

The invention claimed is:

1. In an ice cube making machine, the combination of a freezing unitcomprising a plurality of cells normally open at the bottom, a closureplate for said unit movable to close and seal said unit during afreezing cycle, means for introducing into said cells a liquid to befrozen into ice cubes, means for inducing a stream of liquid over thesurface of said closure plate directly under the open bottom of saidcells and transversely thereof, said stream moving at suicient velocityto create a turbulence and agitation of the liquid in the cells forwashing and carrying off impurities from the ice being formed therein,and a series of baffles formed on the upper face of said closure plateprojecting into the stream of liquid for increasing the turbulent andagitating effect thereof.

2. In an ice cube making machine, the combination of a freezing unitcomprising a plurality of cells normally open at the bottom, a closureplate for said unit movable to close and seal said unit during afreezing cycle, means for introducing into said cells a liquid to befrozen into ice cubes, said plate having an upper surface spaced frombut closely adjacent the open bottom of said cells extending in paralleltransverse relation thereto, a discharge header embedded in one endthereof, an outlet header embedded in said plate at the opposite endthereof, discharge apertures spaced along said discharge header fordirecting liquid therefrom over the face of said plate in a streamterminating in said outlet header, a return liquid conduit from saiddischarge header, and a pressure pump in said conduit for effecting arapid and forced circulation of the liquid between said headers and thecontinuous flow of the liquid stream a suicient velocity for effecting aturbulent agitation of the liquid in said cells during the freezingcycle.

3. In an ice cube making machine, the combination of a freezing unitcomprising a plurality of cells normally open at the bottom, a closureplate for said unit movable to close and seal said unit during afreezing cycle, means for introducing into said cells a liquid to befrozen into ice cubes, said plate having an upper surface spaced frombut closely adjacent the open bottom of said cells extending in paralleltransverse relation thereto, a discharge header embedded in one endthereof, an outlet header embedded in said plate at the opposite endthereof, discharge apertures spaced along said discharge header fordirecting liquid therefrom over the face of said plate in a streamterminating in said outlet header, a return liquid conduit from saiddischarge header, a pressure pump in said conduit for effecting a rapidand forced circulation of the liquid between said headers and thecontinuous llow of the liquid stream at sufficient velocity foreffecting a turbulent agitation of the liquid in said cells during thefreezing cycle, and a series of bafes extending from the face of saidplate in the path of the liquid stream arranged relative to therespective centers of said cells to induce and localize the turbulencecentrally thereof.

4. In an ice making machine, the combination of a freezing unit having aplurality of open bottom cells for receiving the liquid to be frozen anda removable closure therefor, means for inducing a stream of liquid overthe surface of said closure directly under the open bottom of said cellsand transversely thereof, said stream moving at sufficient velocity tocreate a turbulence and agitation of the water in the cells for washingand carrying off impurities Vfrom the ice being formed therein, and aseries of baffles formed on the upper face of the closure projectinginto the stream of liquid for increasing the turbulent and agitatingVeffect thereof.

5. In an ice making machine, the combination of a freezing unit having aplurality of open bottom cells for receiving the liquid to be frozen anda removable closure therefor, said closure having an upper surfacespaced from but closely adjacent the open bottom of said cells extendingin parallel transverse relation thereto, a discharge header embedded inone end thereof, an outlet header embedded in said closure at theopposite end thereof, discharge apertures spaced along said dischargeheader for directing liquid therefrom over the face of said closure in astream terminating in said outlet header, a return liquid conduit fromsaid discharge header, and a pressure pump in said conduit for effectingcirculation of the liquid between said headers and the continuous ow ofthe liquid stream for effecting a turbulent agitation of the liquid insaid cells during the freezing cycle.

6. In an ice making machine, the combination of a freezing unit having aplurality of open bottom cells for receiving the liquid to be frozen anda removable closure therefor, said closure ha"ing an upper surfacespaced from but closely adjacent the open bottom of said cells extendingin parallel transverse relation thereto, a discharge header embedded inone end thereof, an outlet header embedded in said closure at theopposite end thereof, discharge apertures spaced along said dischargeheader for directing liquid therefrom over the face of said closure in astream terminating in said outlet header, a return liquid conduit fromsaid discharge header, a pressure pump in said conduit for ele'ctingcirculation of the liquid between said headers and the continuous ow ofthe liquid stream for effecting a turbulent agitation of the liquid insaid cells during the freezing cycle, and a series of baffles extendingfrom the face of said closure into the path of the liquid streamarranged relative to the respective centers of said cells to induce anlocalize the turbulence centrally thereof.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,181,590 Smellie Nov. 28, 1939 2,536,217 Pownall Jan. 2, 1951 2,563,093Bayston Aug. 7, 1951 2,575,892 Roberts Nov. 20, 1951 2,583,294 EricksonJan. 22, 1952 2,586,588 Weseman Feb. 19, 1952 2,668,422 McShan Feb. 9,1954

